The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid car manufactured by General Motors also sold under the Holden marque in Australia and New Zealand. In the United States the Volt was the first plug-in hybrid to be offered for sale and the first all-electric car with a range-extender to be sold in Canada. The Volt competed with the Nissan Leaf the first mass-produced all-electric car.
The Volt’s battery delivers electric power to drive the vehicle up to 53 km (33 mi). When the battery’s energy is depleted a gas-powered engine-generator kicks in to extend the vehicle’s range an additional 480 km (300 mi). The Volt’s total range is over 530 km (330 mi) which is higher than any other electric car without a range-extender.
The Volt operates as a pure battery electric vehicle until the battery’s state of charge drops to a predetermined level at which point the gasoline engine starts and runs a generator to recharge the battery. The engine never directly drives the car’s wheels.
The Volt’s powertrain control module (PCM) is the central nervous system of the Volt. It constantly communicates with the battery electric motors and gasoline engine to optimize power and efficiency.
The PCM is programmed to deliver the optimal mixture of electric and gasoline power based on driving conditions battery state of charge and the driver’s demand for power.
In electric-only mode the Volt’s 110 kW (150 hp) electric motor delivers 273 N⋅m (201 lb⋅ft) of torque to the front wheels. The motor is powered by a 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The Volt’s gasoline engine is a 1.4 L DOHC 4-cylinder with Variable Valve Timing (VVT). The engine is capable of running on unleaded gasoline or E85 ethanol.
When the battery’s state of charge is low and the driver demands more power than the electric motor can deliver the gasoline engine starts and runs a generator to recharge the battery and power the electric motor.
The generator is connected to the electric motor by a power electronics module (PEM). The PEM converts the generator’s AC power to DC power to recharge the battery and also provides power to the electric motor.
The generator is capable of providing enough power to the electric motor to maintain a constant speed of up to 110 km/h (68 mph) even on a steep hill.
The Volt has a unique thermal management system that keeps the battery pack and power electronics cool in all climates.
In electric-only mode the Volt’s battery pack is cooled by air flow generated by the electric motor.
In hybrid mode the Volt’s power electronics are cooled by a liquid cooling system and the battery pack is cooled by a combination of air flow and liquid cooling.
The Volt’s cooling system is designed to maintain the battery pack and power electronics at their optimal operating temperature even in extreme climates.
The Volt’s regenerative braking system captures energy that would otherwise be lost as heat and stores it in the battery pack.
The regenerative braking system is designed to maximize the amount of energy that is captured and stored in the battery pack.
The system is designed to work with the Volt’s electric motor and generator to slow the car down without the use of the brakes.
The Volt’s electric motor and generator are capable of slowing the car down without the use of the brakes.
The Volt’s electric motor and generator are capable of providing up to 15 kW (20 hp) of braking power.
The Volt’s electric motor and generator are capable of providing up to 110 N⋅m (81 lb⋅ft) of torque to the wheels.
The Volt’s electric motor and generator are capable of providing up to 273 N⋅m (201 lb⋅ft) of torque to the wheels.
What does the green car on the Chevy dashboard mean?
Answer: It means that the engine is operating efficiently.
Why is it important to have an efficient engine?
Answer: It helps to save gasoline and reduce emissions.
What does a green car mean on other vehicles?
Answer: On other vehicles it may mean that the vehicle is electric or hybrid.
What is the significance of the green car on the Chevy dashboard specifically?
Answer: The significance of the green car on the Chevy dashboard is that the engine is operating efficiently.
How often should you check your engine’s efficiency?
Answer: You should check your engine’s efficiency monthly.
What are some other ways to save gasoline?
Answer: Some other ways to save gasoline include carpooling avoiding idling and inflating your tires properly.
How does an efficient engine help the environment?
Answer: An efficient engine helps the environment by reducing emissions.
What are some other ways to reduce emissions?
Answer: Some other ways to reduce emissions include carpooling avoiding idling and using public transportation.
What is the best way to save gasoline?
Answer: The best way to save gasoline is to carpool.
What is the best way to reduce emissions?
Answer: The best way to reduce emissions is to carpool.
What is the benefit of an electric or hybrid vehicle?
Answer: The benefit of an electric or hybrid vehicle is that it emits zero emissions.
How can you tell if a car is electric or hybrid?
Answer: You can tell if a car is electric or hybrid by the green car symbol on the dashboard.
What does the green car symbol on the dashboard mean for an electric or hybrid car?
Answer: The green car symbol on the dashboard means that the car is emission-free.
Is it better to have an electric or hybrid car?
Answer: Electric and hybrid cars are both emission-free so they are both good choices.
What is the benefit of a green car?
Answer: The benefit of a green car is that it is more environmentally-friendly.
